Divers deliver mighty catches

ON A single breath of air at considerable depths, spear fishers contesting the 17th Australian Bluewater Freediving Classic had some monster fish in their cross hairs.

Over two days of competition at Woolgoolga, some big catches were put over the scales.

Brad Arnott’s capture of a wahoo and Spanish mackerel gained the attention of many during Saturday’s weigh-in on the beachside foreshores.

Neil Armour showed off a 15.9 kilogram cobia speared off the coast.

Dave Mengel weighed in a big 13.3kg Spanish mackerel.

Club president Mark Kallman and Woolgoolga local Michael Featherstone also had impressive mackerels added to their names.

In a more unusual catch, David Welch from Emerald Beach swam down a 6kg pennant fish.

“Fish have been co-operating with the local divers for a good two weeks now. There have been some good wahoo landed, a great new cobia club record and a great deal of Spanish mackerel taken,” Mark Kallman said.

Jewfish, amberjacks and kingfish were also expected to be landed during competition yesterday.